---
title: "$100,000 Fee: New Threat for International Students in the US"
description: "The Trump administration is considering introducing a $100,000 fee for international students wishing to stay in the US after their studies. This could destroy the OPT program, used by 300,000 people. Authorities cite the fight against visa fraud as the reason 🇺🇸🎓🚫"
date: 2026-08-02T00:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/100000-fee-for-international-students-in-the-us
tags: [trump, usa, opt-program, immigration, bloomberg]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# $100,000 Fee: New Threat for International Students in the US

![Students working on laptops in a library: illustration for news about a new $100,000 fee for international students in the US](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/02/sbor-100-tysyach-dollarov-dlya-studentov-v-ssha/sbor-100-tysyach-dollarov-dlya-studentov-v-ssha-1.webp)

A decision is brewing in the corridors of US power that could radically change the rules of the game for thousands of international students. President Donald Trump's administration is considering the introduction of a colossal fee of $100,000 for those who plan to stay in the country to work after completing their studies.

### Target: OPT Program

The popular Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is under attack. It is this program that allows holders of student visas to legally stay in America after receiving their diploma to gain necessary professional experience. According to the Institute of International Education, nearly 300,000 people took advantage of this opportunity last fall. This accounts for a quarter of all international students studying in the US.

If the initiative is approved, participation in the program will become financially inaccessible for the overwhelming majority of graduates. In fact, this could mean the end of the era of affordable post-graduate practice for foreigners.

### Official Position and Motives

Information about the plans emerged thanks to Bloomberg. A source familiar with the internal consultations confirmed the discussion of the idea but requested anonymity. The White House has currently taken a wait-and-see position: an administration representative stated that final decisions on inevitable policy changes have not yet been made, although the fact that the proposal is being considered was not denied.

The main argument in favor of strict measures is the fight against violations. The administration believes that the OPT program has become a convenient tool for visa fraud and illegal extension of stay in the country. This approach logically fits into the general line of tightening migration control.

### Precedents and Context

The idea of a huge $100,000 fee is not isolated. It echoes previous attempts by the Trump administration to tighten conditions for the H-1B visa, intended for highly qualified specialists, especially in the technology sector (STEM). Previously, a federal judge ruled a similar fee illegal, but US authorities have already appealed this decision.

Parallel to this, the US Department of Homeland Security has already made changes to the rules of stay. This month, the practice allowing students to remain in the country for the entire duration of their studies was abolished. Now, the maximum term is limited to four years, unless the student receives a special extension.